Strike Witches episode 7: Fallen Star

by **Rupudska** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:44 am

Brescia, Venezia
9:30 AM
3 March 2012

"... and that's it for the military aspect of the debriefing."

Sovhi pressed a button on her remote, turning off the overhead projector. She, like everyone else, was dressed in her best all-black uniform. Ruya, at the demand of Sovhi, had put on her dress military uniform and an all-black hijab, instead of what she normally would have worn. This was partly because she had worn it at the party, and partly because Ruya discovered after the battle that Sohvi had gotten some alcohol on it.

Sohvi sighed, pulling out a small disc. On it, was Maria's last will and testament. She put it into the laptop computer placed in the middle of the room, pressed play, and turned the overhead back on.

by **Hetland 2** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:12 pm

The video flickered for a few seconds as Maria’s voice chiming in occasionally grumbling profanity at what could be assumed as the camera. As the picture appeared she clapped her hands together, cackling contently and setting the camera down pointing it up to her face, dark rings under her eyes as she grabbed a bottle and started drinking it.

“In the event you are watching this, I, Lance-corporal Maria Lucinda, will most likely be dead. There are a few things I wish to say before I divvy up my possessions.“

She smiled weakly at the camera brushing her braid over her shoulder.

“The first thing I have to say is… I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I am so so sorry. For the pain I’ve caused you in both my death and life. For my behavior. For my obstinacy regarding my alcohol abuse.” Tears began to well up in her eyes.
“If I could have I’d have remade myself into someone who could have been a better witch and a better woman. I’m sorry for that too. As someone who’s been through the death of many sisters, I’m so sorry for causing you this pain. I know it’s truly the worst feeling in the world. I know that isn’t right but at the same time… it makes me a little happy it would be this way. I don’t think I could have been able to handle it if any of you died.”

She wiped her eyes, sniffling. “There is also some specific witches I’d like to apologize to.” She took a breath and spoke carefully, apologizing to her fallen companions, in the end it’d taken her over half an hour to apologize to all fourteen of them, in addition to her stopping to cry twice.

After she finished crying for the second time she took a swig from a bottle of wine, downing it in about 10 seconds, exhaling happily, “That’s good stuff.”

She held up several sheets of paper in a folder, “Now listen to me carefully. I don’t think I could do you wonderful girls justice, but I’m going to try my best.” She downed another bottle. “The conditions in my will state that I am leaving my apartment to Svetlana and any witch willing to act as her caretaker. It’s a little cramped but it has lots of memories. To Beatrice, I leave my mice, Philip and Shoutaro, please take care of them. I’m sure they’ll like you. To Matilde… I’ll concede that I liked my time in Romagna better than my time in my homelands and a portion of my wine and beer. To Yu-tachi, I leave…” She repeated the process for each and every one of her beloved squadron mates leaving each a little piece of her life.
“And to Adela, I leave you… I leave you my flask. Not as a memento of haunted past as it was to me but as a symbol of hope for the future.”

She paused and looked up at the sky, tears running down her cheeks. “There’s just one more thing I wanted to thank you for. Thank you for being my friends. Even if I die, I can go without too many regrets. The only regret was not being able to stay with you guys just a little longer. Thank you for letting me love again and letting me feel comfortable to open my heart again. I loved you all. I really did.”

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:32 pm

Hetland 2 wrote:The video flickered for a few seconds as Maria’s voice chiming in occasionally grumbling profanity at what could be assumed as the camera. As the picture appeared she clapped her hands together, cackling contently and setting the camera down pointing it up to her face, dark rings under her eyes as she grabbed a bottle and started drinking it.

“In the event you are watching this, I, Lance-corporal Maria Lucinda, will most likely be dead. There are a few things I wish to say before I divvy up my possessions.“

She smiled weakly at the camera brushing her braid over her shoulder.

“The first thing I have to say is… I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I am so so sorry. For the pain I’ve caused you in both my death and life. For my behavior. For my obstinacy regarding my alcohol abuse.” Tears began to well up in her eyes.
“If I could have I’d have remade myself into someone who could have been a better witch and a better woman. I’m sorry for that too. As someone who’s been through the death of many sisters, I’m so sorry for causing you this pain. I know it’s truly the worst feeling in the world. I know that isn’t right but at the same time… it makes me a little happy it would be this way. I don’t think I could have been able to handle it if any of you died.”

She wiped her eyes, sniffling. “There is also some specific witches I’d like to apologize to.” She took a breath and spoke carefully, apologizing to her fallen companions, in the end it’d taken her over half an hour to apologize to all fourteen of them, in addition to her stopping to cry twice.

After she finished crying for the second time she took a swig from a bottle of wine, downing it in about 10 seconds, exhaling happily, “That’s good stuff.”

She held up several sheets of paper in a folder, “Now listen to me carefully. I don’t think I could do you wonderful girls justice, but I’m going to try my best.” She downed another bottle. “The conditions in my will state that I am leaving my apartment to Svetlana and any witch willing to act as her caretaker. It’s a little cramped but it has lots of memories. To Beatrice, I leave my mice, Philip and Shoutaro, please take care of them. I’m sure they’ll like you. To Matilde… I’ll concede that I liked my time in Romagna better than my time in my homelands and a portion of my wine and beer. To Yu-tachi, I leave…” She repeated the process for each and every one of her beloved squadron mates leaving each a little piece of her life.
“And to Adela, I leave you… I leave you my flask. Not as a memento of haunted past as it was to me but as a symbol of hope for the future.”

She paused and looked up at the sky, tears running down her cheeks. “There’s just one more thing I wanted to thank you for. Thank you for being my friends. Even if I die, I can go without too many regrets. The only regret was not being able to stay with you guys just a little longer. Thank you for letting me love again and letting me feel comfortable to open my heart again. I loved you all. I really did.”

Silence... That was the only thing Svetlana knew best. Silence over grief. Silence over anger. Silence over everything. Having spent her entire life in a barrack, she had learnt to keep quiet at all times, to keep a clear mind and to relieve herself of doubt and worries. And even now, as she sat silently at the back of the briefing room, she kept silent still.

But this was not the kind of silence she used to give. This was not the calm, if possibly emotionless silence she often showed as a career soldier. This was a silence filled with despair, regret and utter psychological pain. Her head bowed as her long silver bangs shrouded her face, she could not bear to hear the words of the woman who came beside her at her most fragile moment of her life. Stepping into her apartment, left behind to her as a parting gift by Maria, was bound to rend her heart in two.

But what hurt her more was the kind of apathy being displayed elsewhere in the room. Leaning against the wall at the back with her arms crossed, Adela glared coldly at the video being shown. Her hand rubbing against the same golden hairpin Maria wore that night, it was difficult to tell just what the girl felt of Maria. On one hand, she was ready to dispense some worthwhile advice to give her fellow witches a reason to love life. On the other, she sparked all sorts of outrage from the witches with her insidious berating of Maria, even after her tragic demise. Whether her attachment to the pin was a hidden sympathy for the girl, or an attempt to rub off any dandruff she may have left behind, remains in question. One thing seemed obvious to Svetlana though, Adela did not shed a single tear for Maria.

As the video presentation ended, Svetlana found herself overwhelmed in anguish, slumping even more to the floor as she wept tearfully again. Despite her best efforts, she just could not hold it in. To compound matters, Adela, just a few inches away, laid no finger on the girl, merely giving a fleeting, nonchalant stare at her. Rather, she took the opportunity to raise her hand in question.

"Madam," she uttered blankly, "if that is all, permission to be excused? I'm awaiting a call from Vienna's Staff Headquarters. They said it's important I stand by to pick it up and I do not wish to interrupt the briefing."

by **Agritum** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:34 am

Wolfenium wrote:
Hetland 2 wrote:The video flickered for a few seconds as Maria’s voice chiming in occasionally grumbling profanity at what could be assumed as the camera. As the picture appeared she clapped her hands together, cackling contently and setting the camera down pointing it up to her face, dark rings under her eyes as she grabbed a bottle and started drinking it.

“In the event you are watching this, I, Lance-corporal Maria Lucinda, will most likely be dead. There are a few things I wish to say before I divvy up my possessions.“

She smiled weakly at the camera brushing her braid over her shoulder.

“The first thing I have to say is… I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I am so so sorry. For the pain I’ve caused you in both my death and life. For my behavior. For my obstinacy regarding my alcohol abuse.” Tears began to well up in her eyes.
“If I could have I’d have remade myself into someone who could have been a better witch and a better woman. I’m sorry for that too. As someone who’s been through the death of many sisters, I’m so sorry for causing you this pain. I know it’s truly the worst feeling in the world. I know that isn’t right but at the same time… it makes me a little happy it would be this way. I don’t think I could have been able to handle it if any of you died.”

She wiped her eyes, sniffling. “There is also some specific witches I’d like to apologize to.” She took a breath and spoke carefully, apologizing to her fallen companions, in the end it’d taken her over half an hour to apologize to all fourteen of them, in addition to her stopping to cry twice.

After she finished crying for the second time she took a swig from a bottle of wine, downing it in about 10 seconds, exhaling happily, “That’s good stuff.”

She held up several sheets of paper in a folder, “Now listen to me carefully. I don’t think I could do you wonderful girls justice, but I’m going to try my best.” She downed another bottle. “The conditions in my will state that I am leaving my apartment to Svetlana and any witch willing to act as her caretaker. It’s a little cramped but it has lots of memories. To Beatrice, I leave my mice, Philip and Shoutaro, please take care of them. I’m sure they’ll like you. To Matilde… I’ll concede that I liked my time in Romagna better than my time in my homelands and a portion of my wine and beer. To Yu-tachi, I leave…” She repeated the process for each and every one of her beloved squadron mates leaving each a little piece of her life.
“And to Adela, I leave you… I leave you my flask. Not as a memento of haunted past as it was to me but as a symbol of hope for the future.”

She paused and looked up at the sky, tears running down her cheeks. “There’s just one more thing I wanted to thank you for. Thank you for being my friends. Even if I die, I can go without too many regrets. The only regret was not being able to stay with you guys just a little longer. Thank you for letting me love again and letting me feel comfortable to open my heart again. I loved you all. I really did.”

Silence... That was the only thing Svetlana knew best. Silence over grief. Silence over anger. Silence over everything. Having spent her entire life in a barrack, she had learnt to keep quiet at all times, to keep a clear mind and to relieve herself of doubt and worries. And even now, as she sat silently at the back of the briefing room, she kept silent still.

But this was not the kind of silence she used to give. This was not the calm, if possibly emotionless silence she often showed as a career soldier. This was a silence filled with despair, regret and utter psychological pain. Her head bowed as her long silver bangs shrouded her face, she could not bear to hear the words of the woman who came beside her at her most fragile moment of her life. Stepping into her apartment, left behind to her as a parting gift by Maria, was bound to rend her heart in two.

But what hurt her more was the kind of apathy being displayed elsewhere in the room. Leaning against the wall at the back with her arms crossed, Adela glared coldly at the video being shown. Her hand rubbing against the same golden hairpin Maria wore that night, it was difficult to tell just what the girl felt of Maria. On one hand, she was ready to dispense some worthwhile advice to give her fellow witches a reason to love life. On the other, she sparked all sorts of outrage from the witches with her insidious berating of Maria, even after her tragic demise. Whether her attachment to the pin was a hidden sympathy for the girl, or an attempt to rub off any dandruff she may have left behind, remains in question. One thing seemed obvious to Svetlana though, Adela did not shed a single tear for Maria.

As the video presentation ended, Svetlana found herself overwhelmed in anguish, slumping even more to the floor as she wept tearfully again. Despite her best efforts, she just could not hold it in. To compound matters, Adela, just a few inches away, laid no finger on the girl, merely giving a fleeting, nonchalant stare at her. Rather, she took the opportunity to raise her hand in question.

"Madam," she uttered blankly, "if that is all, permission to be excused? I'm awaiting a call from Vienna's Staff Headquarters. They said it's important I stand by to pick it up and I do not wish to interrupt the briefing."

Matilde stood behind Svetlana, looking at the video and keeping a collected but moody expression. By what she had said in her will, it seemed that Maria didn't really bear hate for her. Matilde herself started to feel bad for all the misunderstatements she was guilty of, and lowred her head in shame.

However, she raised it again, when she noticed the tears flowing from Svetlana's eyes. She crouched next to the Orussian girl, to reach her face, and then produced an handkerchief from her pocket, softly wiping the tears away.

by **Finorskia** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 7:02 am

Yuki sat quietly crying the shock still to great to bear. She had lost a friend for the first time and she was having trouble dealing. Yuri however showed no apparent emotion. The death of a squad mate was something he was used to. He'd lost two friends and seen plenty of other friendly's go down in the middle east conflicts. He just sat there, watching. However, despite his lack of emotion, Yuri listened, listened to every word said on the Video, and he took those words to heart. When it was over he stood up and walked over to Sohvi.
"Major, I would like to say something, if I may. To everyone that is."

by **Rupudska** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:41 am

Finorskia wrote:Yuki sat quietly crying the shock still to great to bear. She had lost a friend for the first time and she was having trouble dealing. Yuri however showed no apparent emotion. The death of a squad mate was something he was used to. He'd lost two friends and seen plenty of other friendly's go down in the middle east conflicts. He just sat there, watching. However, despite his lack of emotion, Yuri listened, listened to every word said on the Video, and he took those words to heart. When it was over he stood up and walked over to Sohvi.
"Major, I would like to say something, if I may. To everyone that is."

Sohvi nodded, wiping her face with her hands. "You have my permission to speak, Yuri. But it'll have to be quick." She checked the clock. "The funeral is in 30 minutes, and we have to make it there quickly." She sat down, and examined her map of Brescia. The church graveyard where the ceremony would take place was circled with a red marker.

by **Finorskia** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:32 am

"Thanks." Yuri said. He turned and walked to the front of the briefing room. "Ahem." He cleared his throat to get everyone attention.
"I herd from someone, that there is a belief going around that we are nothing but tools, or pawns. I want you all to know that this is not true. You are not tools in some game, we are fighting for the survival of the human race, and it just so happens that you are the only ones who are actually capable of actually making an impact in the enemy. No you are not pawns, you are heroes, and when this war is over the whole world will see you as such. The sacrifices you make are not in vain, for they are securing the future of our species. So I never want to here that you are a tool. Why? Cause I know what its like to be a tool, I lost friends who where being used as tools. Maria was not a tool and neither are you." Yuri snapped a salute to everyone, nodded to Sohvi to let her know he was done and that it would probably be a good time to dismiss everyone.

by **Austria-Bohemia-Hungary** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 11:25 am

"Thank you Yuri, it was really nice of you." Sybil replied, composed but not entirely emotionless. She was still feeling responsible for not reining Maria back harder, and was still quite sory for not learning to know her a bit better, having the hunch that she was a really great lassie.
With her Nr. 5 at the dry launder's, she had showed up for funeral in full ceremonial uniform of an officer of the Grenadier Guards, the scarlet she thought really fitted the occasion.
She dabbed away some wetness from her eyes again in her usual dignified way, she didn't really feel that sad, just a horrible feeling of emptiness for Maria.

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:31 pm

Svetlana could only sob teafully into Matilda's handkerchief as she heard Yuri's speech. She did not quite believe what he said was true for Sveta herself, but she thought this meant a lot for the others, especially Maria. Sadly, the mood did not last for long as Adela raised her hand again.

"Thrilling speech," Adela declared sarcastically, not content at having her question ignored in favour of Yuri's 'patriotic droll', "you should be an Air Force spokesman when you get off the jet for good. Now may I take my leave now? I really have a call due from Vienna's HQ."

And right on cue, her phone buzzed incessantly for into the silent room, somewhat validating her claim. It was fairly obvious she wanted to ditch the meeting, but she still had the right excuses for it. Raising her ringing phone up, she stated, "permission, commanders?"

by **Imota** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:12 pm

"Tha...thank you, sir," Beatrice said quietly as Yuri's speech ended. She had a feeling Yuri might say something like that. She figured that as one of the few actual adults in the unit, he felt some responsibility for the well-being of the other members.

Heroes, huh? she thought. Has a nice ring to it. I wonder what Maria would have thought if she was here to hear him. The thought made her tear up a little. She sniffed and blinked a couple of times, and waited for further instructions.

by **Rupudska** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:34 am

Wolfenium wrote:Svetlana could only sob teafully into Matilda's handkerchief as she heard Yuri's speech. She did not quite believe what he said was true for Sveta herself, but she thought this meant a lot for the others, especially Maria. Sadly, the mood did not last for long as Adela raised her hand again.

"Thrilling speech," Adela declared sarcastically, not content at having her question ignored in favour of Yuri's 'patriotic droll', "you should be an Air Force spokesman when you get off the jet for good. Now may I take my leave now? I really have a call due from Vienna's HQ."

And right on cue, her phone buzzed incessantly for into the silent room, somewhat validating her claim. It was fairly obvious she wanted to ditch the meeting, but she still had the right excuses for it. Raising her ringing phone up, she stated, "permission, commanders?"

Sohvi sighed. "Yes, Adela, you have permission. You STILL have to be present for the funeral, and that is an order." She turned off the projector again, stood up, stretched, and turned to the others.

"This concludes the debriefing. I want to see everyone at the funeral at 10:00, no excuses. Anyone who is late will have to answer to me." She scanned the squadron's faces for any sign of defiance, hovering especially long over Adela.

by **Agritum** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:37 am

Rupudska wrote:
Wolfenium wrote:Svetlana could only sob teafully into Matilda's handkerchief as she heard Yuri's speech. She did not quite believe what he said was true for Sveta herself, but she thought this meant a lot for the others, especially Maria. Sadly, the mood did not last for long as Adela raised her hand again.

"Thrilling speech," Adela declared sarcastically, not content at having her question ignored in favour of Yuri's 'patriotic droll', "you should be an Air Force spokesman when you get off the jet for good. Now may I take my leave now? I really have a call due from Vienna's HQ."

And right on cue, her phone buzzed incessantly for into the silent room, somewhat validating her claim. It was fairly obvious she wanted to ditch the meeting, but she still had the right excuses for it. Raising her ringing phone up, she stated, "permission, commanders?"

Sohvi sighed. "Yes, Adela, you have permission. You STILL have to be present for the funeral, and that is an order." She turned off the projector again, stood up, stretched, and turned to the others.

"This concludes the debriefing. I want to see everyone at the funeral at 10:00, no excuses. Anyone who is late will have to answer to me." She scanned the squadron's faces for any sign of defiance, hovering especially long over Adela.

Matilde nodded, before taking Svetlana's hand and walking out the room.
"We'll go there by taxi, Svetlana. It may be costly, but it will bensurely more comfortable than any other system of transportation." Matilde said to the Orussian, walking outside of the building and producing her cellphone from a pocket, calling a taxi.

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 5:12 am

Agritum wrote:
Rupudska wrote:
Sohvi sighed. "Yes, Adela, you have permission. You STILL have to be present for the funeral, and that is an order." She turned off the projector again, stood up, stretched, and turned to the others.

"This concludes the debriefing. I want to see everyone at the funeral at 10:00, no excuses. Anyone who is late will have to answer to me." She scanned the squadron's faces for any sign of defiance, hovering especially long over Adela.

Matilde nodded, before taking Svetlana's hand and walking out the room.
"We'll go there by taxi, Svetlana. It may be costly, but it will bensurely more comfortable than any other system of transportation." Matilde said to the Orussian, walking outside of the building and producing her cellphone from a pocket, calling a taxi.

Adela simply stared back, giving a dark glare as she left the room. From that glint in her eye, she looked like she did not care a damn what her commanders said. Adela was a cynic to the core. She had absolutely no faith in idealistic terms like heroism. She could not care less that she was doing her part to save the world from an alien menace. In the end, all she saw was the bottom line, that they'll be back to shooting each other once the Neuroi are gone. There was no heroism to be had for her as a witch. She was only in it for a living, not for any pride or desire to protect like her comrades. As she departed the room, her focus shifted back to that mysterious call, and what it beheld.

Meanwhile, Svetlana wiped away a tear from her eye as she followed Matilde. Twiddling her thumbs, she uttered, "I don't know... I shouldn't impose on you..." She was not used to such lavish expenses, especially since it came out of Matilde.

by **Agritum** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 9:54 am

Wolfenium wrote:
Agritum wrote:Matilde nodded, before taking Svetlana's hand and walking out the room.
"We'll go there by taxi, Svetlana. It may be costly, but it will bensurely more comfortable than any other system of transportation." Matilde said to the Orussian, walking outside of the building and producing her cellphone from a pocket, calling a taxi.

Adela simply stared back, giving a dark glare as she left the room. From that glint in her eye, she looked like she did not care a damn what her commanders said. Adela was a cynic to the core. She had absolutely no faith in idealistic terms like heroism. She could not care less that she was doing her part to save the world from an alien menace. In the end, all she saw was the bottom line, that they'll be back to shooting each other once the Neuroi are gone. There was no heroism to be had for her as a witch. She was only in it for a living, not for any pride or desire to protect like her comrades. As she departed the room, her focus shifted back to that mysterious call, and what it beheld.

Meanwhile, Svetlana wiped away a tear from her eye as she followed Matilde. Twiddling her thumbs, she uttered, "I don't know... I shouldn't impose on you..." She was not used to such lavish expenses, especially since it came out of Matilde.

"Taxis are fast and comfortable. I don't care if I'll have to spend some money for it." Matilde said, noticing a white taxi driving in their direction.
"You are not imposing on me, Svetlana. I prefer to keep such a journey comfortable for us.

She stepped in the taxi, telling the driver where to go in Italian. The driver started to drive towards the location of the funeral, surprised that someone was using a taxi in Venezia.

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:16 am

Agritum wrote:
Wolfenium wrote:
Adela simply stared back, giving a dark glare as she left the room. From that glint in her eye, she looked like she did not care a damn what her commanders said. Adela was a cynic to the core. She had absolutely no faith in idealistic terms like heroism. She could not care less that she was doing her part to save the world from an alien menace. In the end, all she saw was the bottom line, that they'll be back to shooting each other once the Neuroi are gone. There was no heroism to be had for her as a witch. She was only in it for a living, not for any pride or desire to protect like her comrades. As she departed the room, her focus shifted back to that mysterious call, and what it beheld.

Meanwhile, Svetlana wiped away a tear from her eye as she followed Matilde. Twiddling her thumbs, she uttered, "I don't know... I shouldn't impose on you..." She was not used to such lavish expenses, especially since it came out of Matilde.

"Taxis are fast and comfortable. I don't care if I'll have to spend some money for it." Matilde said, noticing a white taxi driving in their direction.
"You are not imposing on me, Svetlana. I prefer to keep such a journey comfortable for us.

She stepped in the taxi, telling the driver where to go in Italian. The driver started to drive towards the location of the funeral, surprised that someone was using a taxi in Venezia.

Stepping in after her, Svetlana was in no mood to complain any more. Looking out at the skies outside, she could not help but stare at the darkening clouds. It was as if the heavens itself were going to shed a tear for Maria. What irked her still was the fact that Adela did nothing of the kind. Turning back to Silvestri, she questioned, "I don't get it... Of all the people to be so heinous... I know Tepes isn't exactly a sympathetic woman, but the way she... It's just a little too much to take..." She could not get the right words out to describe Adela's behaviour. It just did not seem right. The kind of ambivalence she displayed was confusing and erratic. Svetlana just could not understand what she was thinking at all.

by **Agritum** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:36 am

Wolfenium wrote:
Agritum wrote:"Taxis are fast and comfortable. I don't care if I'll have to spend some money for it." Matilde said, noticing a white taxi driving in their direction.
"You are not imposing on me, Svetlana. I prefer to keep such a journey comfortable for us.

She stepped in the taxi, telling the driver where to go in Italian. The driver started to drive towards the location of the funeral, surprised that someone was using a taxi in Venezia.

Stepping in after her, Svetlana was in no mood to complain any more. Looking out at the skies outside, she could not help but stare at the darkening clouds. It was as if the heavens itself were going to shed a tear for Maria. What irked her still was the fact that Adela did nothing of the kind. Turning back to Silvestri, she questioned, "I don't get it... Of all the people to be so heinous... I know Tepes isn't exactly a sympathetic woman, but the way she... It's just a little too much to take..." She could not get the right words out to describe Adela's behaviour. It just did not seem right. The kind of ambivalence she displayed was confusing and erratic. Svetlana just could not understand what she was thinking at all.

"Adela is like that. She sounds all jerkish and snob, then suddenly reveals that she cares more for the other Witches that she makes us believe. Probably, something from her past experiences resurfaced in her memories after Maria's accident." Matilde said, opening the window of the taxi and lighting herself a cigarette.

The taxi driver blurped something about smoking in Italian, to which Matilde replied, still in Italian, that she would have given him a tip if he quit whining.
The Romangan had started to smoke a few weeks after Maria's demise. She didn't know why, but one day, she had found herself buying a pack of Marlboro on the Yeager's onboard shop.

She knew well that her newly found habit was starting to slowly poison her, but it didn't matter. Military service was rough, and she needed something to blow out her stress. She had sweared that, at the end of her Witch career, she would have quitted smoking.

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:44 pm

Agritum wrote:
Wolfenium wrote:
Stepping in after her, Svetlana was in no mood to complain any more. Looking out at the skies outside, she could not help but stare at the darkening clouds. It was as if the heavens itself were going to shed a tear for Maria. What irked her still was the fact that Adela did nothing of the kind. Turning back to Silvestri, she questioned, "I don't get it... Of all the people to be so heinous... I know Tepes isn't exactly a sympathetic woman, but the way she... It's just a little too much to take..." She could not get the right words out to describe Adela's behaviour. It just did not seem right. The kind of ambivalence she displayed was confusing and erratic. Svetlana just could not understand what she was thinking at all.

"Adela is like that. She sounds all jerkish and snob, then suddenly reveals that she cares more for the other Witches that she makes us believe. Probably, something from her past experiences resurfaced in her memories after Maria's accident." Matilde said, opening the window of the taxi and lighting herself a cigarette.

The taxi driver blurped something about smoking in Italian, to which Matilde replied, still in Italian, that she would have given him a tip if he quit whining.
The Romangan had started to smoke a few weeks after Maria's demise. She didn't know why, but one day, she had found herself buying a pack of Marlboro on the Yeager's onboard shop.

She knew well that her newly found habit was starting to slowly poison her, but it didn't matter. Military service was rough, and she needed something to blow out her stress. She had sweared that, at the end of her Witch career, she would have quitted smoking.

Svetlana simply bowed a bit, feeling rather sceptical about Adela. While Adela had certainly showed instances of care, such moments contrasted badly with her usual attitude. This time, however, she seemed incredibly muted over the incident altogether, at least after her initial outburst on the Yeager.

Noticing Matilde smoking again, Svetlana simply glared a bit over her actions. But after a moment of glaring, her fingers slipped over the exposed box of cigarettes, yanking it out of Matilde's reach as she squashed it under her bum.

"They're bad for you, Silvestri," she uttered in reprimand, "you know that. There's still better ways to calm down, and smoking isn't one of them." For the time being, Svetlana was actually starting to sound like her normal self again. The characteristic soldier loli at least showed she was not too overcome with grief to lecture the girl. But a distinct cross on her eyebrows was a change from the frozen, stoic expression she usually wore. Perhaps, of all the people Maria had a profound impact on, it was her. The stoic ice princess who had once never smiled was finally showing some emotion for once.

by **Hetland 2** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:54 pm

Katsumi sat in the car she'd borrowed. In her hands lay dog tags, one of them nearly rent and torn, while they'd both been battered by the elements. Katsumi knew what it'd said in the past, after all it'd been her best friends in the past. Now it was hers. She slipped the dogtags onto her neck before leaned her head against the window, looking out at the grey sky wishing her friend would come zooming back battered and wounded but still laughing that insane psychotic laugh Katsumi had grown to love.

But she wouldn't. Never again would Maria's insane laugh echo down the hallways of the Yeager. Katsumi knew all this but it still didn't make it hurt any less. Fighting back the tears she started the car up. She had a funeral to attend to. She lit up a cigarette and drove off.

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:39 pm

The funeral was still hours away, and already at the grounds was Adela herself. Staring ahead at the empty cemetery grounds, Adela's face seemed devoid of emotion. A dull gaze in her eyes, she leaned against her pitch black BMW F30 as she contemplated on the rough tin can she had 'inherited'. Staring at the incomprehensible Cyrillic etchings behind it, she felt confused at what she should feel.

"'Symbol of hope' my ass..." she griped in a solemn tone, "there is no hope. Not for me..." Taking out her handphone in her other hand, she recalled the words she was given moments earlier...

Outside briefing room, earlier
"No," she barked into her phone, her rage boiling as she acted hysterically over the call, "I'm not going back! I'm not playing showgirl anymore. I'm done playing that! I-"

"But Lieutenant," the caller on the other side insisted, his authoritative tone ringing into her defiant ears, "this isn't a request. It's an order from HQ. You can say bye-bye to your friends later, and then you can head back to Vienna later on-"

"And then what," barked Adela, "have them reiterate how I 'heroically' went against directives to 'save' a village from being razed to the ground? You know it was Azar, not me who took the initiative. Why did you-"

"The public do not want to hear a story about some suicidal daredevil who got a royal princess killed in action just to up her killscore. Do you know how the Persians will feel knowing one of their most beloved heroines died because some rogue-"

"It's not my concern she didn't listen to me," she growled, "I told her to stay with the others. I never asked for her to keep an eye on me! You think I couldn't stand that!"

"-and you will tell 'why', the same way you always said," insisted the caller, "the same way you will tell the reporters later how you 'feel' about this one as well. I can't cover for your... tastes at this point. The best would be to just to roll with it."

Adela was livid. She was clearly not taking the news well, lowering her phone, she made one last gripe to the caller.

"I'm sure you'll do well winning the re-election, you prick..." With that, the girl forced her thumb down on the 'hang up' button, punching the wall again as she gritted her teeth over the news. She was done playing a princess for the press, and she was not buying the kind of bribes she was being forced upon. Regardless of her promotion and her pay, she was never going to accept a bribe from that man... ever...

Running her finger over Maria's canteen, Adela could not help but question why she had such ill luck. But one glance interrupted her thoughts as she watched Katsumi park by her side.

"You're early," she griped in a sour note, glaring at the engineer-witch's car. It never occurred to her to hide Maria's canteen. She figured there was no point anyway.

by **Hetland 2** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:36 pm

Wolfenium wrote:The funeral was still hours away, and already at the grounds was Adela herself. Staring ahead at the empty cemetery grounds, Adela's face seemed devoid of emotion. A dull gaze in her eyes, she leaned against her pitch black BMW F30 as she contemplated on the rough tin can she had 'inherited'. Staring at the incomprehensible Cyrillic etchings behind it, she felt confused at what she should feel.

"'Symbol of hope' my ass..." she griped in a solemn tone, "there is no hope. Not for me..." Taking out her handphone in her other hand, she recalled the words she was given moments earlier...

Outside briefing room, earlier
"No," she barked into her phone, her rage boiling as she acted hysterically over the call, "I'm not going back! I'm not playing showgirl anymore. I'm done playing that! I-"

"But Lieutenant," the caller on the other side insisted, his authoritative tone ringing into her defiant ears, "this isn't a request. It's an order from HQ. You can say bye-bye to your friends later, and then you can head back to Vienna later on-"

"And then what," barked Adela, "have them reiterate how I 'heroically' went against directives to 'save' a village from being razed to the ground? You know it was Azar, not me who took the initiative. Why did you-"

"The public do not want to hear a story about some suicidal daredevil who got a royal princess killed in action just to up her killscore. Do you know how the Persians will feel knowing one of their most beloved heroines died because some rogue-"

"It's not my concern she didn't listen to me," she growled, "I told her to stay with the others. I never asked for her to keep an eye on me! You think I couldn't stand that!"

"-and you will tell 'why', the same way you always said," insisted the caller, "the same way you will tell the reporters later how you 'feel' about this one as well. I can't cover for your... tastes at this point. The best would be to just to roll with it."

Adela was livid. She was clearly not taking the news well, lowering her phone, she made one last gripe to the caller.

"I'm sure you'll do well winning the re-election, you prick..." With that, the girl forced her thumb down on the 'hang up' button, punching the wall again as she gritted her teeth over the news. She was done playing a princess for the press, and she was not buying the kind of bribes she was being forced upon. Regardless of her promotion and her pay, she was never going to accept a bribe from that man... ever...

Running her finger over Maria's canteen, Adela could not help but question why she had such ill luck. But one glance interrupted her thoughts as she watched Katsumi park by her side.

"You're early," she griped in a sour note, glaring at the engineer-witch's car. It never occurred to her to hide Maria's canteen. She figured there was no point anyway.

Katsumi opened her car door and stepped out, Maria's old dogtags jangling in front of her cleavage. "Speak for yourself, missy." she exhaled the cigarette smoke through her nose, " Besides, I wanted to make sure I got there ahead of time. It is my best friend's funeral after all." She looked up and down Adela and wrinkled her nose. "You stink of stress and irritation. Delightful." She dropped the finished cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out before pulling out another one. She towered over Adela by at least a foot, her eyes held a sympathetic pain.
"If you want to talk about anything I'm all ears."
'Sides it isn't like I didn't here you shouting outside the briefing room. She thought to herself.
Katsumi took another drag off her cigarette and pulled out a phone, and turned to Adela. "Also I still need do some orders for the Squadron." She dialed the number quickly and finished off her cigarette.

"Hello, this is Captain Hanabuya Katsumi of the 501st I'd like to requis... Steven? Yes... this is Captain Shachi. No, I'm not overworked. How's Lysta and Aaron? Oh by the way, could you inform Lysta that Maria passed away a few da... She's what? Why's she carrying... oh... I see." Katsumi leaned against the wall. "She's probably under radio silence right now as she's flying alone isn't she? Well, Steven can you do me a favor and transfer her to the 501st for a little bit. With Maria dead, Lysta's skills are going to be much needed. Thanks. Talk to you later."

Katsumi turned back to Adela and sighed. "We've got another witch on her way already." Katsumi looked a little wearier than before the conversation happened.

by **Agritum** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:42 pm

Wolfenium wrote:
Agritum wrote:"Adela is like that. She sounds all jerkish and snob, then suddenly reveals that she cares more for the other Witches that she makes us believe. Probably, something from her past experiences resurfaced in her memories after Maria's accident." Matilde said, opening the window of the taxi and lighting herself a cigarette.

The taxi driver blurped something about smoking in Italian, to which Matilde replied, still in Italian, that she would have given him a tip if he quit whining.
The Romangan had started to smoke a few weeks after Maria's demise. She didn't know why, but one day, she had found herself buying a pack of Marlboro on the Yeager's onboard shop.

She knew well that her newly found habit was starting to slowly poison her, but it didn't matter. Military service was rough, and she needed something to blow out her stress. She had sweared that, at the end of her Witch career, she would have quitted smoking.

Svetlana simply bowed a bit, feeling rather sceptical about Adela. While Adela had certainly showed instances of care, such moments contrasted badly with her usual attitude. This time, however, she seemed incredibly muted over the incident altogether, at least after her initial outburst on the Yeager.

Noticing Matilde smoking again, Svetlana simply glared a bit over her actions. But after a moment of glaring, her fingers slipped over the exposed box of cigarettes, yanking it out of Matilde's reach as she squashed it under her bum.

"They're bad for you, Silvestri," she uttered in reprimand, "you know that. There's still better ways to calm down, and smoking isn't one of them." For the time being, Svetlana was actually starting to sound like her normal self again. The characteristic soldier loli at least showed she was not too overcome with grief to lecture the girl. But a distinct cross on her eyebrows was a change from the frozen, stoic expression she usually wore. Perhaps, of all the people Maria had a profound impact on, it was her. The stoic ice princess who had once never smiled was finally showing some emotion for once.

Matilde glanced at Svetlana, sighing and tossing her last cigarette outside the window.
"Okay, Svetlana. I won't smoke today." she replied, laying on her seat and trying to relax, putting her head against it. However, this relax session was very short, due to the driver arriving at destinatiin.

After a short quarrel with him over the price of the ride, Matilde payed the man, stepping out of the taxi and recognising Adela and Katsumi in the distance. Taking Svetlana's hand, she approached Shachi, saluting her.
"Good morning, Captain."

by **Hetland 2** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:56 pm

Agritum wrote:
Wolfenium wrote:
Svetlana simply bowed a bit, feeling rather sceptical about Adela. While Adela had certainly showed instances of care, such moments contrasted badly with her usual attitude. This time, however, she seemed incredibly muted over the incident altogether, at least after her initial outburst on the Yeager.

Noticing Matilde smoking again, Svetlana simply glared a bit over her actions. But after a moment of glaring, her fingers slipped over the exposed box of cigarettes, yanking it out of Matilde's reach as she squashed it under her bum.

"They're bad for you, Silvestri," she uttered in reprimand, "you know that. There's still better ways to calm down, and smoking isn't one of them." For the time being, Svetlana was actually starting to sound like her normal self again. The characteristic soldier loli at least showed she was not too overcome with grief to lecture the girl. But a distinct cross on her eyebrows was a change from the frozen, stoic expression she usually wore. Perhaps, of all the people Maria had a profound impact on, it was her. The stoic ice princess who had once never smiled was finally showing some emotion for once.

Matilde glanced at Svetlana, sighing and tossing her last cigarette outside the window.
"Okay, Svetlana. I won't smoke today." she replied, laying on her seat and trying to relax, putting her head against it. However, this relax session was very short, due to the driver arriving at destinatiin.

After a short quarrel with him over the price of the ride, Matilde payed the man, stepping out of the taxi and recognising Adela and Katsumi in the distance. Taking Svetlana's hand, she approached Shachi, saluting her.
"Good morning, Captain."

Katsumi lit another cigarette and placed it against her lips, saluting Matilde and Svetlana, "Good morning to you Sergeants. We're all here early." She blew out smoke careful not to blow it near any of her subordinates. She paused, "Looks like we'll be meeting the last surviving member of the late Captain Ahoro's flight unit later today... And she's a real piece of work. Let me tell you that. But... Nah... You'll meet her soon enough."

Pixiv · by **Wolfenium** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 4:58 am

Hetland 2 wrote:
Agritum wrote:Matilde glanced at Svetlana, sighing and tossing her last cigarette outside the window.
"Okay, Svetlana. I won't smoke today." she replied, laying on her seat and trying to relax, putting her head against it. However, this relax session was very short, due to the driver arriving at destinatiin.

After a short quarrel with him over the price of the ride, Matilde payed the man, stepping out of the taxi and recognising Adela and Katsumi in the distance. Taking Svetlana's hand, she approached Shachi, saluting her.
"Good morning, Captain."

Katsumi lit another cigarette and placed it against her lips, saluting Matilde and Svetlana, "Good morning to you Sergeants. We're all here early." She blew out smoke careful not to blow it near any of her subordinates. She paused, "Looks like we'll be meeting the last surviving member of the late Captain Ahoro's flight unit later today... And she's a real piece of work. Let me tell you that. But... Nah... You'll meet her soon enough."

"A newcomer?" Svetlana enquired, "from Maria's unit? You seem worried about her. If there is anything you like to say, just tell us. We won't mind."

"I'm dying to meet her, I'm sure," Adela griped sarcastically, "never mind. I won't be here for long anyway. In any case, it's none of your concern. I just jumped a few ranks, that's all. They're posting me back to the capital in a few days, so go crazy with that..."

by **Hetland 2** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:49 am

Wolfenium wrote:"A newcomer?" Svetlana enquired, "from Maria's unit? You seem worried about her. If there is anything you like to say, just tell us. We won't mind."

"I'm dying to meet her, I'm sure," Adela griped sarcastically, "never mind. I won't be here for long anyway. In any case, it's none of your concern. I just jumped a few ranks, that's all. They're posting me back to the capital in a few days, so go crazy with that..."

Katsumi sighed and shrugged. "I've only met her once when she flew over to deliver something to Maria and even then I was still busy with maintenance. But... Well she's an ammo fanatic and a genius gunsmith. Aside from that she knew Maria from before the unit, her callsign is 'Trench' and she's got some questionable dating habits. That aside she's pretty quiet from what I could tell."

by **Finorskia** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:54 am

Yuri picked up the dark blue dress jacket off his bed and put it on (He and Yuki had gone back to their rooms after the briefing to finish getting ready for the funeral) He then opened a small wooden box containing his medals. He carefully pinned the on his jacket, then double checked to make sure they where aligned properly. He then reached onto the bed and grabbed a white cord, which he ran through his his left epaulet. Then after throwing on the last pieces of the uniform, he picked up a pair of white gloves put them on, and finally placed his dress hat on his head. He exited his room and crossed the hall to his sisters room. He knocked.
"Come in." Came Yukis reply, though it was a little quite. Yuri opened the door. Yuki was sitting down at the edge of her bed, fully dressed, fiddling with something, her eye patch fitted over her eye.
"Yuki it's time to..." He began. "Is something the matter?" He sat down next to her and she nodded. "What is it?" he asked. She held up the her glass eye which she had been fiddling with in her hands.
"You don't want to were it?" Yuri could see that Yuki nodded.
"Its just, it feels so fake," She said, Yuri could tell she was about to cry. "it doesn't feel right." She said quietly, tears starting to stream from her eyes. Yuri reached up and began to stroke his sisters hair with his white gloved hand.
"I won't pretend to understand, but I won't force you to put it in, and I don't think the rest of the squadron will hold it against you if you don't." Yuir said looking Yuki right in the eye. She stopped crying.
"Okay." she replied.
"Good." Now we have to get going so we won't be late. He stood up.
"Right, I just have to grab a few things." She replied, also standing up.
"Alright I'll be outside with the car." He walked towards the door and opened it.
"Brother." Yuki called quietly. Yuri turned. "Promise me you wont die." Yuri stood for a moment then turned away.
"I'm sorry" he said, then shut the door behind him.

Yuki opened the door to the black rented sedan and climbed into the passengers seat. She looked at her brother who looked back. Yuri broke the contact to turn the ignition. He was about to drive off when a tap on the glass caught his attention. He turned to see Eric Heinz wearing a standard Karlsland military dress uniform and a black dress coat. Yuri lowered the window.
"Mind if I hitch a ride with you guys?" Heinz asked. Yuri looked at his sister and she shrugged.
"Sure." Yuri replied. He raised his window and Heinz opened the back door and climbed in. Once Heinz was settled in Yuri drove off.

Strike Witches episode 7: Fallen Star

Strike Witches episode 7: Fallen Star

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